The recent news about problems with Baxter Heparin is worrying in its own right and it now looks like there may be a heparin shortage in both the near and mid term
“There is going to be a shortage problem in the immediate and long-term future with the suspension of Baxter’s manufacturing,” Dr. Jenkins [director of the FDA’s office of new drugs] said. “Facilities and physicians will have to decide immediately what they do with the heparin on hand, and they’ll have to start looking for heparin for the long term.”
I use a different brand of heparin so I am not directly impacted by the tainted supply but a shortage will be a problem for us all on the sharp end of the needle. One lesson I take from the situation is that this is another reason why having a personal stockpile, if you're on home hemodialysis, is a good idea.
I have 2 to 3 months of supplies so on the one hand if I was relying a recalled product there is a good chance that the problem batch would be in inventory rather in use when the problem is identified and of course in a shortage having a personal stockpile will work out well.
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